Devoted Ghost Fans Camp Overnight for Peoria Concert

Fans waited hours, some nearly a day, to secure spots for the Swedish rock band's performance at the Peoria Civic Center.

Feb. 5, 2026 at 5:55pm

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Devoted fans of the Grammy Award-winning Swedish rock band Ghost lined up outside the Peoria Civic Center, some arriving as early as 3 a.m., to secure spots for the band's Skeletour World Tour performance on Thursday evening. This will be Ghost's third time playing in Peoria, after previous shows in 2018 and 2022. The concert will feature a phone-free experience, with guests required to secure their phones in Yondr pouches during the show.

Why it matters

Ghost has developed a devoted fanbase, with their latest tour selling over a million tickets, including the band's first-ever sold-out headlining show at New York's Madison Square Garden. The band's latest album, 'Skeletá,' was their first to top the Billboard 200 chart, indicating their growing popularity and appeal to hard rock fans.

The details

Fans, some bundled up in the cold, began forming a line outside the Civic Center just before 10 a.m. on the day of the show. Two fans in particular, Dannie and Eligh Presley, were celebrating a special moment by attending the concert, having originally planned to use the same budget for a honeymoon in Branson, Missouri.

  • Fans began lining up outside the Peoria Civic Center just before 10 a.m. on the day of the show.
  • Some fans arrived as early as 3 a.m. to secure their spots.

The players

Ghost

A Grammy Award-winning Swedish rock band bringing their Skeletour World Tour to Peoria.

Peoria Civic Center

The venue hosting Ghost's performance in Peoria, Illinois.

Dannie and Eligh Presley

A couple celebrating a special moment by attending the Ghost concert, having originally planned to use the same budget for a honeymoon in Branson, Missouri.

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What they’re saying

“Well, we kind of had a budget set aside. We were going to go to Branson, Missouri, for a honeymoon. Figured for the same amount of money we could come do something we actually wanted to do.”

— Dannie

“They're like a mix of all the 80s metal bands that come to your head with a little bit of a twist of the darker side, a little bit.”

— Eligh

What’s next

The Ghost concert at the Peoria Civic Center is scheduled for Thursday evening.

The takeaway

Ghost's devoted fanbase and the band's growing popularity, as evidenced by their latest tour selling over a million tickets and their latest album topping the Billboard 200 chart, highlight the enduring appeal of hard rock music and the lengths fans will go to experience their favorite artists live.